Despite a setback in his goal to place a pension-change initiative on a statewide  ballot in 2014, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed plans to rally and return in 2016.  Reed told attendees at a Sacramento Press Club luncheon April 3, he will press forward with another round.

Reed’s original goal was to put a measure before California voters this fall, but, unhappy with the Attorney General’s description of the initiative which is used to gather signatures to qualify it for the ballot, Reed went to court and lost.

Reed  had a problem with ten words in the Attorney General’s summary of the initiative, claiming the words were false, partial and argumentative. In part, he objected to wording that mentioned peace officers, nurses and teachers,  hard working professionals  whose retirement security would likely have  been greatly impacted if the initiative passed. 

The loss in court stopped Reed’s effort to get the  initiative on the ballot this year.  Many expected Reed would resurrect his attack,  which he confirmed as he spoke to journalists at the Sacramento Press Club.

“The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) stands strong and committed, along  with public safety and labor associations throughout the state,  in protecting the retirement security of our members,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Our dedicated public safety and consumer protection professionals have already sacrificed for years during the tough times and are now working under PEPRA which are the changes the Governor and State Legislature made.  It is time to stop badgering people who go to work every day to protect and serve the citizens of this great State and the people who have worked for decades to acquire some type of financial security in their years of retirement.”

Reed has appealed the court’s decision against him.  A ruling on the appeal could take up to a year.  One thing is for certain, his  push in 2016 will cost millions of dollars to fight.